Vacuum Extension Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an apparatus comprising a cylindrical container having a lid with two openings, a first opening and a second opening. An elbow shaped pipe is attached at each opening, respectively, and fastened by metal clamps. The posterior end of the first pipe extends down 1.0 inches into the cylindrical container. The posterior end of the second pipe extends down 0.5 inches into the cylindrical container and is attached to a filter. The anterior end of the second pipe extends up from the second opening and is connected to a vacuum. When the vacuum is on, the suction mechanism and air flow inside the cylindrical container forces dust and fine particles through the filter and up through the second pipe into vacuum. The dirt and fine particles are collected into the vacuum bag or receptacle located inside the vacuum, while the small items remain inside the cylindrical container.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a vacuum extension apparatus for preventing small objects from clogging or damaging the vacuum.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most households with a vacuum and children with small toys face the challenge of having to replace vacuum cleaners and/or repair vacuum cleaners due to small toys getting trapped in the suction system of the vacuum cleaner. There are a variety of manual and sometimes laborious ways to avoid this problem, but most vacuum attachments or extensions do not prevent clogging and jamming of the vacuum suction system by small objects. The present invention solves the problem of small toy clutter and small toys jamming the vacuum by way of a vacuum extension apparatus that separates small objects from dust and dirt and only allows the latter to go through to the vacuum's suction system. This vacuum extension provides a solution to a twofold problem, the chore of cleaning up clutter from the collection of small objects, such as toys, and the expense of repairing or replacing a damaged vacuum cleaner.

This idea was conceived because of the constant need to manually clean up the small toys, such as LEGO® pieces, which would inevitably result in a few pieces being left on the floor or in a corner or under furniture, only to subsequently get caught in a vacuum cleaner. Attempts to remedy this situation by using standard vacuum attachments did not resolve the problem as small items would still make it through the standard vacuum extensions and into the vacuum suction system. These small items would become lodged or jammed in the suction system of the vacuum, rendering it unusable until the object was either removed, or the vacuum was repaired, or the vacuum was replaced. For parents with small children, this problem has become both costly and time consuming.

The vacuum extension apparatus of this invention speeds up the cleaning process; prevents the loss of small items such as small LEGO® pieces, jewelry, nails and screws; and decreases the expense of replacing toys and repairing or replacing a vacuum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a specially designed and configured vacuum attachment that sorts dust and small objects including, but not limited to toys, jewelry, nails, screws, paperclips, and coins. The attachment is an apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical container for collecting dust, debris, and small objects of varying dimensions, which container has a lid that is securely fastened to the top of the container. The lid of the container has two openings, a first opening and a second opening, for the attachment of a hollow tubular vessel or pipe at each opening, where each said hollow pipe is fastened securely to the openings by way of metal clamps or other fastening means. At the first opening, the posterior end of the first hollow pipe extends down 1.0 inch from the first opening of the lid into the hollow chamber of the cylindrical container. The anterior end of the first hollow pipe extends up from the first opening and is not connected to the vacuum or other suction device. At the second opening, the posterior end of the second hollow pipe extends down 0.5 inches from the second opening of the lid into the hollow chamber of the cylindrical container and is attached to a filter. The anterior end of the second hollow pipe extends up from the second opening and is connected to the vacuum or other suction device.

The vacuum extension apparatus of this invention utilizes the suction mechanism and air pressure generated by the vacuum to pull air and small items through the anterior end of the pipe that is attached at the second opening into the chamber of the cylindrical container. The suction mechanism and air flow inside the cylindrical container forces dust and fine particles through the filter that is connected to the posterior end of the second hollow pipe, and into the second hollow pipe and then into the vacuum. The dirt and fine particles are collected into the vacuum bag or receptacle located inside the vacuum, while the small items remain inside the cylindrical container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In describing the invention, reference will at times be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1a is a front view of the invention with all of its components assembled;

FIG. 1b is a perspective front view of the invention with all of its components assembled;

FIG. 2a is a top view of the lid component of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2b is a perspective front view of the first pipe component of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2c is a perspective front view of the second pipe component of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3a is a 3D angled front view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3b is a 3D bottom view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3c is a 3D top view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3d is a 3D side view of the filter component of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the air flow and mechanism of the apparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the art to which this invention belongs will recognize, however, that the techniques described can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

In this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b , the present invention is an apparatus 5 for attachment to and use with a vacuum or other suction device. The apparatus 5 comprises a hollow cylindrical container 10, 20 which is enclosed and houses other essential components of the invention. The hollow cylindrical container 10 has a lid 30 which fits securely on top of the container 10. The lid 30 has a diameter that is 1-2% larger than the diameter of hollow cylindrical container 10, allowing the lid 30 to rigidly snap on or be affixed to the container 10. As shown in FIG. 2a , the lid 30 has two openings, a first opening 35 and second opening 70. The two openings 35 and 70 serve as the points of attachment and insertion of two hollow elbow shaped tubular vessels (pipes) 50 and 80, as shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c . The pipes are designated as a first pipe 50 and a second pipe 80, and are inserted into the two openings 35 and 70, respectively, and then fastened with metal clamps 40 and 75 or other fastening means to ensure that the openings 35 and 70 remain airtight and the pipes 50 and 80 do not move about the openings 35 and 70 during use of the apparatus 5.

As shown in FIG. 2b , the first pipe 50 comprises a posterior end 55 located below the elbow 60 of the first pipe 50 and an anterior end 65 located above the elbow 60 of the first pipe 50. FIGS. 1a and 1b show the anterior end 55 of the first pipe 50 inserted into the first opening 35 of the lid 30 (as shown in FIG. 2a ) of the container 10 and extends down 1 inch into the interior 20 of the container 10. The first pipe 50 is fastened to the lid 30 of the container 10 at the first opening 35, using a metal clamp 40 that surrounds the first pipe 50 and covers the first opening 35.

As shown in FIG. 2c , the second pipe 80 comprises a posterior end 85 located below the elbow 90 of the second pipe 80 and an anterior end 95 located above the elbow 90 of the second pipe 80. FIGS. 1a and 1b show the posterior end 85 of the second pipe 80 inserted into the second opening 70 of the lid 30 of the container 10 and extends down 0.5 inches into the interior 20 of the container 10. The second pipe 80 is fastened at the posterior end 85, to the lid 30 of the container 10 at the second opening 70, using a metal clamp 75 that surrounds the second pipe 80 and covers the second opening 70. The anterior end 95 of the second pipe 80 is positioned and adapted for connection to a vacuum or other suction device. The apparatus 5 is connected to the vacuum during use and is readily removed when no longer in use.

Once assembled, the first and second pipes 50 and 80 are connected together just above their respective elbows 60 and 90 by connector 120. The connector 120 keeps the pipes 50 and 80 in place, reducing or eliminating their shifting and moving while the apparatus 5 is assembled and the vacuum is in the on position. This is an important feature for keeping the assembled apparatus 5 stable and for maintaining its structural integrity under the force of the air pressure generated by the vacuum as well as the rigors of handling by a user. The connector 120 may be made of strong cord or rope comprised of materials such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, or sisal. The connector 120 should be made of rope or cord having a minimum tensile strength of at least 75 lbs. to handle and resist the tugging and pulling inherent in the use of the apparatus 5 while connected to a vacuum in the on position.

In other embodiments of the invention, the container 10 may be made of varying dimensions, including width, length, and depth, which would change how far into the interior 20 of the container 10, the pipes 50 and 80 would extend. For example, for a larger and deeper container 10, the pipes 50 and 80 may extend down into the interior 20 of the container 10 greater than 1.0 inches and 0.5 inches respectively. As the dimensions of the container 10 change, the dimensions of the lid 30 and other components of the apparatus 5 may change in direct proportion in order to maintain the optimal functioning of the apparatus 5. One of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs would be able to calculate and adjust the dimensions of the components of the apparatus 5 accordingly without deviating from the essence and intended function of the invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 5 the clamps 40 and 75 are metal fasteners, however in other embodiments of the invention, the clamps 40 and 75 may be made of plastic material or other material known to one of ordinary skill in the art of making clamps or other fastening means. In the preferred embodiment, the container 10 and its lid 30 are made of plastic material, however in other embodiments of the invention the container 10 and its lid 30 may be made of rubber materials, light weight metal alloys, or a combination of synthetic or naturally occurring materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the pipes 50 and 80 are made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), but in other embodiments of the invention, the pipes 50 and 80 may be made of other plastic material or synthetic material with the properties of plastic known to one of ordinary skill in the art of plastics, including but not limited to other synthetic plastic polymers, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

The second pipe 80 has a filter 100 attached to the posterior end 85, as shown in FIG. 2c . The entire filter 100 is housed inside the interior 20 of the container 10 and consists of openings 105 symmetrically positioned throughout the exterior of the filter 100, as shown in FIGS. 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d . The filter 100 has a lip 110 which serves as the point of attachment to the posterior end 85 of the second pipe 80, as shown in FIGS. 1b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d . The filter 100 is cylindrical in shape with a rounded bottom (see FIG. 3b ) and hollow interior (see FIG. 3c ) to facilitate optimal filtration. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter 100 is made of durable plastic material such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or other materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In other embodiments, the filter 100 may be made of mesh, fiber, fabric, metal, other synthetic plastic polymers or other malleable material used by and known to one of ordinary skill in the art of making filters.

The assembled apparatus of the invention and its components work together whereby the anterior end 95 of the second pipe 80 is attached to a vacuum or other suction device. Once the vacuum or other suction device is turned on, the air moves into the apparatus 5 from the anterior end 65 of the first pipe 50 down through the posterior end 55 and then into the interior 20 of the container 10, moving up through the filter 100 and 105 into the posterior end 85 of the second pipe 80 and through the anterior end 95 of the second pipe 80. The air pressure and suction capacity generated by the vacuum or suction device directs the flow of air and allows the apparatus 5 to pick up small objects as well as dirt and debris and pull them through the first pipe 50 and into the interior 20 of the container 10. Inside the container 20 the dust, dirt, and small particle debris move through the filter 100, 105 up through the second pipe 80 and into the vacuum and its dirt/dust collection receptacle (see FIG. 4). While the dirt and small particle debris are sucked into the vacuum, the small objects such as, but not limited to toys, jewelry, nails, screws, paperclips, and coins remain inside the container 10,20. This process is repeated as the vacuum remains in the on position. Once the vacuum is turned off, the air flow stops and the debris and small objects that did not go through the filter 100, 105 settle inside the container 10, 20.

FIG. 4 shows the air flow and mechanism of the assembled apparatus 5 once it is attached to a vacuum or suction device. At position 135 it is determined whether the vacuum motor is turned on or off. If the vacuum motor is turned off, then there is no air flow at position 135. If the vacuum motor is turned on, then the vacuum suction system is engaged at position 175 and the air flows from position 140 through the assembled apparatus 5. The movement of the air begins at position 140 and moves to position 145 through the first pipe 50 and continues to position 150 into the container 10, 20. From position 150 the air flows to position 155 to the filter 100, 105 and continues to position 160 where it is determined whether there is dust or dirt to be carried through the filter 100, 105 and to position 170. At position 160 if there is no dust/dirt but larger debris or small objects then they remain at position 150 inside the container 10, 20. If there is dust/dirt at position 160, then it is carried through the filter 100, 105 and to position 170 up into the second pipe 80. From position 170 the dust/dirt is pulled into the vacuum suction system at position 175 and then deposited into the vacuum's dust/dirt receptacle at position 180.

In other embodiments of this invention, the apparatus 5 is generated by a three dimensional (3D) printer by one of ordinary skill in the art of 3D printing, resulting in the components forming one contiguous unit that does not require assembly or the use of fastening means. A 3D printed apparatus 5 would be ready for connection to a vacuum or other suction device without the need to attach any components using clamps or other fastening means other than at the point of attachment to the vacuum.

As various changes can be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, shown in the accompanying drawings, or defined in the appended claims will be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims. 

1. An apparatus for attachment to and use with a motorized vacuum device for separating small objects from dust particles, comprising: a hollow cylindrical container with a lid that has a diameter that is 1-2% larger than the container; and where the lid has a first opening and a second opening for inserting a first elbow shaped pipe and a second elbow shaped pipe; and where the first pipe has an anterior segment located above the elbow and a posterior segment located below the elbow; and where the second pipe has an anterior segment located above the elbow and a posterior segment located below the elbow; and where the posterior end of the first pipe is inserted into the cylindrical container through the first opening and the first pipe is fastened at the first opening using a metal clamp; and where the posterior end of the second pipe is not completely closed, but has a hollow cylindrical filter, consisting of openings symmetrically positioned throughout the exterior of said filter, and said filter is attached to the posterior end of the second pipe which is inserted into the cylindrical container through the second opening and the second pipe is fastened at the second opening using a metal clamp; and where the first pipe and second pipe are connected at their respective elbows by a connector; and where the anterior segment of the second pipe is connected to a vacuum, while the anterior segment of the first pipe is not connected to a device, but is used to pick up dust particles and small objects.
 2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the posterior segment of the first pipe is inserted 1 inches from the first opening into the cylindrical container; and wherein the posterior segment of the second pipe is inserted 0.5 inches from the second opening into the cylindrical container.
 3. An apparatus for attachment to and use with a motorized vacuum device for separating small objects from dust particles, said apparatus generated by three dimensional (3D) printing, creating one contiguous apparatus, comprising: a hollow cylindrical container with a contiguous lid; and where the lid has a first opening and a second opening for contiguously accommodating a first elbow shaped pipe and a second elbow shaped pipe; and where the first pipe has an anterior segment contiguously extending above the elbow and a posterior segment located contiguously extending below the elbow; and where the second pipe has an anterior segment contiguously extending above the elbow and a posterior segment contiguously extending below the elbow; and where the posterior end of the first pipe is contiguously extended into the cylindrical container through the first opening; and where the posterior end of the second pipe is not completely closed, but has a hollow cylindrical filter, consisting of openings symmetrically positioned throughout the exterior of said filter, and said filter is contiguous with the posterior end of the second pipe which is contiguously extended into the cylindrical container through the second opening; and where the first pipe and second pipe are contiguous with their respective elbows; and where the anterior segment of the second pipe is connected to a vacuum, while the anterior segment of the first pipe is not connected to a device, but is used to pick up dust particles and small objects. 